Review Roundup: Dexter and Homeland impress again

Dexter and Carrie each take down the bad guy

Oct. 24, 2012

Written by

Matthew Tanner

Staff Writer

Dexter and Homeland both have continuous storylines that will be discussed in weekly reviews. Read at your own risk.

Dexter: "Run" Rating: 9.5/10 stars

Dexter’s nemeses have typically consisted of so-called “big bads” (ITK, Trinity, etc.) or single-episode adversaries. The latter does not accompany many memorable instances, but the two-chapter arc with the maze killer, Speltzer, is certainly a standout. With the murderer’s frighteningly structured puzzles, the audience is submersed into the world of a twisted slaughterer.

Yet what makes this storyline so unforgettable is Deb’s adjustment into accepting her brother’s actions, admitting her relief as she watches Speltzer’s ashes rise in the night sky. Where the siblings’ relationship goes from here is unknown, based on Deb’s unstable emotions, but it has certainly progressed to an audience-satisfying phase.

The Isaak storyline is gaining momentum after yet another merciless murder, this time of a devoted, innocent father whom Isaak, along with his irritating sidekick guy (who Isaak may end up killing for overstepping his boundaries), convinces to commit suicide. The disturbing scene further reveals how maniacal Isaak is and that Dexter is in for a rough ride when their paths cross.

With Luis gone, Dexter is heading in the right direction, focusing on the eponymous character’s altered dynamic with his sister, which should, for better or worse, carry the show to its end.

Homeland: "New Car Smell" Rating: 10/10

Now that Carrie is back with the CIA (where she was born to be), Homeland is able to turn its focus back to Carrie's ultimate goal: convicting Brody as a turned prisoner.

The audience’s relationship with Estes has fluctuated over the series’ young run, but “New Car Smell” was one where Carrie’s boss could be fully appreciated, as he views Brody’s confession video, realizing Carrie was right all along. On a similar note, the Estes-Saul dynamic transpires so naturally; these two characters deserve more scenes together.

It feels as though Brody’s reconnection with Carrie comes at a perfect time in the season, where there is enough slack for the two to rekindle their relationship. Shockingly, this all happens in this beyond-perfect episode.

Carrie’s decision to walk up to Room 416 to confront Brody was bold, and of high risk because of his unpredictable and now-lethal actions. In a scene expected in the season (or series) finale, Carrie calls Brody on his fabricated new life and a nervous Brody, realizing everything is now out of his control, is handcuffed by a CIA team and taken into custody with a bag over his head. This sequence can be taken anywhere now, with an emotionally undetectable Carrie standing alone and victorious in the hotel room.

Meanwhile, Jessica is still an annoying, two-dimensional character, who seems to have been watching a lot of Breaking Bad, as she attempts to become a Skylar White-like force, successful of countering her husband’s hidden secrets. She is just not good at it.

This won’t be the end of Brody’s run as a free man, and it will be interesting to see if the CIA will attempt to use his position as a congressman and his contact with Abu Nazir as a means of capturing the terrorist leader.